Insect excluder



. 28, 1937. c. c. FARMER I INSECT EXCLUDER Filed April 23, 1957 INVENTOR ELYDEE-FARMER BY Q/@.4/

ATTORNEY W along the line 3,3 on Fig. 2, n

Fig. 4 is a view of a modified form of protecting Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED Sims- INSECT EXCLUDER Clyde 0. Farmer, Pittsburgh, Pa, assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding', Pa., a corporation oi Pennsylvania Application April 23, 1937, Serial N0. 138,570

17 Claims.

It is an object of this invention to provide im-' proved means to protect a vent passage in a brake controlling valve device.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide protecting means for preventing the closure of a passage bythe deposit of foreign material therein by insects or otherwise, this protecting means being adapted to be applied to valve devices now in service. I

Another object of the invention is to provide protecting means of the type described which is designed so that the release of fluid from the passage soughtto be protected will not be easily impaired bythe deposit of mud or other foreign material on the protecting means. r

A further objectof theinvention is to provide improved protecting means of the type described which is simple and inexpensive'to construct and install, and which is efiicient in operation.

Other objects'of the invention and features of novelty will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accom- I panying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a brake controlling valve device equipped with one form .of protecting means provided by this invention, portions of the valve device and protecting'means being broken away to more completely disclose other portions of the valve device,

Fig. 2fis a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 on Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectionalview taken substantially means which I'mayemploy,

Fig. 5 is a view similar toFig. 2, but showing a somewhat different form of protecting means 7 type with which the vent passage protector pro-- embodying this invention, and I Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modified form of construction embodying this invention.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing there is illustrated a portion of a brake controlling valve device ofthe vided by this invention is adapted to be employed.

The device shown in the drawing is of the type shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,031,213, issue Feb-:

ruary 18, 1936, and includes a pipe bracket section I and an emergencysection 2. r

The emergency section 2 comprises a body having a bore therein, in which is mounted a pise ton 3 having at one side-a chamber 4 connected by way of a passage 5 in the pipe bracket section I to the brake pipe, not shown; The piston 3 has at the other side a valve chamber 6 which is constantly connected by way of a passage 1 with a quick action chamber 8 formed in the pipe bracket section I. The valve chamber 6 and the quick action chamber 8 are adapted to be charged with fluid under pressure supplied from the brake pipe through a restricted port 9 controlled by the piston 3.

- A main slide valve l0 and an auxiliary slide valve I! having movement relative to the main silde valve are mounted in the valve chamber 6, and are operated'by means of the piston 3;

Inoperation the emergency piston 3 is adapted to respond to aservice reduction in brake pipe pressure in the chamber 4 and moves the slide valve 1! relative to the main slide valve ill to a service position in which a port I2 through the auxiliary slide valve H registers with aport I3 through the main slide valve III, while in this position of the main slide'valve lllthe port It registers with an exhaust passage l5 formed in the bodyof the emergency section 2 and communicating with an exhaust or vent chamber l6 which is open to the atmosphere through a relatively large exhaust or vent opening l8.

Upon movementof the auxiliary slide valve ii to the service position, fluid'under pressure is released from the valve chamber 6, and the quick action chamber 8, at a rate sufficient to reduce the pressure of the fluid in these chambers substantially as rapidly as the pressure of' the fluid in the chamber 4 at the face of the piston 3 is reduced on a'service reduction in brake pipe pressure to thereby prevent suflicient differential being developed between the pressures in, the valve chamber '6 and in the brake pipe chamber 4 tocause'the piston to be moved to the emergency application position.

Upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe pressure in the piston chamber 4, the piston 3 operates to move the auxiliary slide valve ll to an emergency position in which a port through the main slide valve II] is uncovered so that fluid under pressure from the valve chamber 6 flows through this port to a passage 2| which leads to a chamber 22 at one face of a vent valve piston 2Q which is mounted in a bore in the body of the emergency section 2- The piston 24 has a stem 26 formed integral therewith and extending across the vent chamber l6, while the stem 26 has secured on the end thereof a vent valve 28 adapted to engage an annular seat rib formed on a bushing 29 which is mounted in a bore in the body of the emergency section 2. The seat rib on the bushing 29 surrounds a passage open to the vent chamber iii. The vent valve 28 is yieldingly held in the seated position by means of a coil spring 30, while the vent valve 28 is mounted in a chamber 32 which is constantly connected by way of a passage 33 with the brake pipe passage 5.

On an increase in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 22 force is exerted on the vent valve piston 24 to move it to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and on this movement of the vent valve piston 24, force is exerted through the piston stem 28 to move the vent valve 28 against the opposing force of spring 30, and thereby open a communication between the chamber 32 and the vent chamber IE through which fluid under pressure supplied from the brake pipe passage 5 to the chamber 32 is released to the vent chamber at a rapid rate.

Fluid under pressure supplied to the chamber 22 at the face of the vent valve piston 24 is gradually released therefrom through a restricted passage 34 through the piston 24, and on a reduction in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 22 to a predetermined relatively low value, the force exerted thereby on the piston 2 is insufficient to hold the vent valve 28 against the opposing force of the spring 39, and the vent valve 28 is thereupon moved by the spring into engagement with the seat rib on the bushing 29 to cut off communication between the brake pipe and the atmosphere through the vent chamber it.

As constructed the vent opening i8 and the vent chamber H5 in the emergency section 2 are relatively large in size to permit fluid under pressure to be vented from the brake pipe to the atmosphere at a rapid rate in efiecting an emergency application of the brakes. As these portions are relatively large in size, insects, wasps, or the like, may enter the vent chamber and deposit mud or similar material in this chamber.

If mud or other material is deposited in the vent chamber I 6 it may completely or partially restrict the release of fluid under pressure through the discharge passage l5, thereby interfering with the intended operation of the valve device on a service application of the brakes.

In the emergency section of the valve devices as constructed at present, the vent chamber it has spaced, substantially parallel end walls 35 and 36. The wall 35 has a circular opening 38 substantially centrally thereof through which the vent valve piston stem 26 extends, while this wall separates the vent chamber it from the bore in which the vent valve piston Ed is mounted. The wall 36 of the vent chamber l6 has an opening therein opposite the opening 38 in the wall 35, and the bushing 29 is secured in this opening.

The lower portion of the vent chamber 86 is open to the atmosphere through the vent opening i8 wln'ch is somewhat larger in diameter than the distance between the end walls 35 and 36 of the vent chamber I6. The lower portion of the wall 36 is cut away, as indicated at 46, to provide for free flow of fluid from the vent chamber !6 to the vent opening l8.

The end walls 35 and 36 are joined by a top wall 43, a bottom wall 44, and side walls i5 and 46. The end wall 36 and the side wall 46 are curved.

as is best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and forms a portion of reduced width adjacent an upper corner of the vent chamber H3. The discharge passage |5 communicates with this portion of the vent chamber.

The form of protecting means provided by this invention and shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 58 and comprises a threaded member 5| adapted to be secured in a threaded hole formed in the bottom wall 44 of the vent chamber IS. The member 5! carries a tubular portion 52 formed of any suitable material, such as wire screen, which is secured to the member 5| by suitable means, such as soldering. A rod 53 is mounted within the tubular portion 52 and is secured to the member 5!. The rod 53 carries a disc or washer 56 which engages and supports the end of the tubular portion 52 remote from the member 50.

The entire assembly comprising the member 5| and the tubular portion 52 is adapted to be inserted in position from the exterior of the body of the valve device, while the member 50 has a square end portion thereon adapted to receive a wrench so that the member 5! may be tightened in the threaded opening in the body of the emergency section 2.

The tubular portion 52 associated with the member 5! is of a diameter slightly smaller than the distance between the end walls 35 and 36 in the narrow portion of the vent chamber l6, as is best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, while the tubular portion 52 is of a length sufficient to extend from the bottom of the Vent chamber I6 substantially to the upper wall 43 thereof, as is best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

When the protecting means is in position in the vent chamber [6, the tubular portion 52 separates the vent chamber into two parts, and prevents access from the portion of the vent chamber open to the relatively large vent opening l8 to the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage l5.

As the protecting means provided by this invention prevents access to the relatively narrow portion of the vent chamber, to which is connected the discharge passage 15, insects, wasps, or the like, which enter the vent chamber [6 cannot deposit mud, or other foreign material in the vent chamber in such a manner as to restrict the flow of fluid under pressure from the discharge passage I5.

As the tubular portion 52 is formed of wire screen, it readily permits fluid supplied to the discharge passage I5 to flow from this passage to the portion of the vent chamber l5 open to the atmosphere through the vent opening l8. Because of the relatively large surface area of the tubular portion 52, even if a part of the surface of this portion should be covered with mud or other foreign material, sufficient fluid under pressure may escape through other parts of the surface area and reach the portion of the vent chamber open to the atmosphere to permit free, unrestricted flow of fluid from the discharge passage l5.

It will be seen that the protecting means provided by this invention may be readily installed in valve devices now in service with the minimum of alteration in these devices. In order to install the protecting means, it is only necessary to form a threaded opening in the bottom wall M of the vent chamber [6, and then insert the protecting means.

It will'beseen also that the protecting means provided by this invention may be readily removed for inspection or cleaning when desired, and that on removal it may thereafter be easily 7 replaced.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing there is shown a modified form of the'protecting means whichI may employ in place of the form shown in Figs. 1, 2

and 3 of the drawing; This protecting means, which is indicated generally by the referencenw' meral 500., comprises amember having a head.

portion provided with threadsadapted to be re-- ceived by a threaded opening in the bottom wall of the vent chamber lb. The head portion has 5 formed integral'therewith a hollow tubular portion 52a'having a plurality of holes extending through the wall thereof. The tubular portion 520/. is of substantially the same diameter as the tubular portion52 of the form shownin Figs. 1, 2

and 3 of the drawing. The protecting means 50a is adapted to be employed in place of the protecting means 50', and in operation is substantially the same as that described in detail above.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing there is shown a modified form of construction which I may employ.

. opening formed in the side wall 45' of the vent ing in the lower wall Ma.

3 chamber it at a point adjacent the upper wall at. The protecting means 5% extends along the upper wallet, and is. of such length as to extend.

into the relatively narrow portion of the vent chamber with which the discharge passage 15 communicates I In Fig. 6 of the drawing there is shown still another form of construction which I may employ. In this form ofconstruction, the body of the emergency section, which is indicated at an, is

slightly different in construction from the form shown in Fig. lot the drawing- The discharge passage lira communicates witha discharge chamber lEb formed in the body of the emergency section 20. and separated from the vent chamber Eta by means of a wall 15c. The discharge chamber iiic is open to the vent chamber lea by means of a passage ltd formed inthe wall I59.

The body of the emergency section 2a has a threaded opening formed in the bottom wall Ma l at a point. substantially opposite the opening Hid.

Theprotecting means employed in this form of construction is indicated generally by the reference numeral Ellie, and is similar in construction to the form shown in Fig. l of the'drawing. The protecting means Etc comprises a metallic memher having a head portion which is threaded and is adapted to be received by the threaded open- The head portion has formed integral therewith a tubular portion .1 slightly smaller in diameter than the passage lid,

7 and this tubular portion is of a length such that the end thereof is disposed within thepassage Hid. The tubular portion has a plurality oi'openings therein, andon the" supply of fluid under pressure to the discharge passage lba, fluid flows to the chamber i512 and to the passage within the tubular portion of the protecting meansiiic,

from which itflcws through the passages in the walls of the tubular portion to the vent chamber t5. "3a, and thence. to the atmosphere. Because of tubular portion ofthe protecting means 500, and because of the location of these holes at different points throughou't'the lengthof the tubular member, all of these holes will not be closed bymud or foreign material deposited on the protecting means. Hence fluid can always flow from the discharge passage I511, tothe vent chamber Mia.

The form of protecting meansshownin Fig. 6 of the drawing is adapted'to be employed only withlan emergency section, the body of which is constructed somewhat difierently than those now in service. As a result, this form of construction cannot be employed with valve devices already in service. 1 1

While several embodiments of insect excluder or protecting means provided by this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be understood that the inven-* tion is not limited to these details of construction, and that numerous changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz.

1. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having a relatively large vent openingtherein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber,

said valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure through said discharge passage," and protecting means comprising a ioraminous member secured in an opening in the wallof said vent chamber and substantially separating the portion of said vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage.

'2. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having a relatively large vent opening therein, said body also having a discharge pasj sage therein opening to said vent chamber, said valve device "incorporating'means for releasing fluid under pressure through said discharge passage, and protecting means comprising a foraminous member secured in an opening in the wall of said vent chamber and substantially separating the portion of said vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage, said member being adapted to be isecuredin positionirom the exterior of the body of said valve device.

3. Ina vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having'a relatively large vent opening therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber, said valve device incorporating means for releasing fiuid under pressure through said dis-v charge passage, a wall of said vent chamber havthe' relatively large number of openings in the the improved 7 Gil ing a threaded opening therein, and protecting and substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber open to thcvent opening from the the Vent h r open to the dise passage. I

, 4.1m a: vehicle" fluid pressure brakeequipment,

inlcombmaiion', a brake controlling valve device I in therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber, said valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure through said discharge passage, and protecting means comprising a hollow substantially tubular body formed of wire screen or the like mounted in said vent chamber and substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage.

5. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having a relatively large vent opening therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber, said valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure to said discharge passage, a Wall of said vent chamber having a threaded opening therein, a member secured in said opening, and a hollow tubular portion carried by said member and extending into said vent chamber, said portion substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber opening to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage.

6. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having a relatively large vent opening therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber,- said valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure to said discharge passage, a wall of said vent chamber having a threaded opening therein, a member secured in' said opena hollow substantially tubular portion formed of wire screen carried by said member, said tubular portion extending into said vent chamber and substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage.

7. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber having a wall having a relatively large vent opening therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said vent chamber, said valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure to said discharge passage, a wall of said chamber having a threaded opening therein, and protecting means substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage, said means comprising a member secured in said threaded opening, a hollow substantially tubular portion formed of wire screen carried by said member and extending into said Vent chamber, and an element carried by said member and mounted within said tubular portion for supporting the end of the tubular portion remote from said member.

8. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein having a wall having a relatively large opening therein, said body also having a discharge passage therein opening to said chamber at a point therein remote from said vent opening, the valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid under pressure to said discharge opening, a wall of said chamber having a threaded opening therein, and protecting means comprising a member secured in said threaded opening and extending into said vent chamber between the vent opening and the end of the discharge passage, said member substantially separating the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening from the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage, said member being adapted to permit fluid to flow therethrough whereby fluid supplied to the discharge passage may reach the vent opening.

9. In a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein provided with a wall having a relatively large vent opening therein, the valve device having a vent valve for releasing fluid through a vent passage formed in said body and communicating with said vent chamber at a point spaced from the vent opening, the valve device also incorporating means for releasing fluid through a discharge passage formed in said body and communicating with said vent chamber at a point spaced from the points of communication of said vent passage and said vent opening with said vent chamber, a wall of said chamber having a hole therein, and protecting means comprising a member secured in said hole and extending into said chamber, said member substantially separating the portion of the chamber open to the discharge passage from the portion of the chamber open to the vent passage and to the vent opening, said member being adapted to permit fluid under pressure to flow therethrough to thereby permit fluid flowing from the discharge passage to reach the vent opening.

10. In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening, said vent chamber having a portion of reduced width, the valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid to a discharge passage formed in said body and communicating with said vent chamber at a point in said chamber portion of reduced width, a wall of said chamber having a hole therein, a protecting means for said discharge passage comprising a member adapted to be secured in said hole, said member having a hollow substantially tubular portion formed of wire screen of a diameter slightly smaller than the distance between the wall of the vent chamber portion of reduced Width, said tubular portion extending into said vent chamber portion of reduced width to separate the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage from the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening.

11. In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening, said vent chamber having a portion of reduced width, the valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid to a discharge passage formed in said body and communicating with said vent chamber at a point in said chamber portion of reduced width, a wall of said chamber having a hole therein, and protecting means for said discharge passage comprising a member adapted to be secured in said hole, said member having a hollow tubular portion of a diameter slightly smaller than the distance between the walls of the vent chamber portion of reduced width, said hollow tubular portion extending into said vent chamber portion of reduced width to separate the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage from the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening, the tubular portion of said member being adapted to permit fluid to flow therethrough, whereby fluid supplied to the discharge passage may reach the vent opening.

12. In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening, the valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid to a discharge passage formed in said body and communicating with said vent chamber, a Wall of saidchamber having a hole therein, a member mounted in said vent chamber and insertable therein through said hole, said member having a hollow tubular portion extending into the end of said discharge passage with the passage in said tubular portion open to said discharge passage, the wall of the tubular portion of said member having a plurality of openings therein through which fluid supplied to the passage in said member may flow to the vent chamber.

13. In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake controlling valve device comprising a body having a vent chamber therein open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening, the valve device incorporating means for releasing fluid through a discharge passage communicating with'said vent chamber at a point spaced from said vent opening,'the wall of said vent chamber having a hole therein at a point opposite the point of communication of the discharge passage with the vent chamber, and a member having a hollow substantially tubular portion mounted in said hole and extending into the end of the discharge passage, the passage within said hollow tubular portion being open to the discharge passage, the wall of the tubular portion of said member having a plurality of openings therein to which fluid supplied to the passage in said tubular member may flow'to the vent chamber.

14. In protecting means adapted to be employed in a brake controlling valve device of a type having a body provided with a vent chamber open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening and incorporating means for releasing fluid through a discharge passage communicating with said vent chamber at a point spaced from said vent opening, the protecting means comprising a member adapted to be secured in an opening formed in a wall of said vent chamber, said member having associated therewith a hollow tubular portion adapted to extend into the vent chamber to prevent access to the spaced from said vent opening, the protecting means comprising a member adapted to be secured in an opening formed in a wall of said vent chamber, said member having associated therewith a hollow tubular portion adapted to extend into the vent chamber to prevent access to the portion of the vent chamber open to the discharge passage from the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening, said hollow tubular portion being adapted to permit fluid to flow therethrough from the discharge passage to the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening. 7

16. In protecting means adapted to be employed in a brake controlling valve device of a type having a body provided with a vent chamber open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening and incorporating means for releasing fluid through a discharge passage communicating with said vent chamber at a point spaced from said vent opening, the protecting means comprising a member adapted to be secured in an opening formed in a wall of said vent chamber, said member having secured thereto a substantially tubular portion formed of wire screen, said tubular portion being adapted to extend into said vent chamber to 'prevent'access to the discharge passage from the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening.

17. In protecting means adapted to be employed in a brake controlling valve device of a type having abody provided with a vent chamber open to the atmosphere through a relatively large vent opening and incorporating means for releasing fluid to a discharge passage communicating with said vent chamber at a point spaced from said vent opening, the protecting'means comprising a member adapted to be secured in an opening formed in a wall of said vent chamber, said member having secured thereto a substantially tubular portion formed of wire screen, said tubular portion being adapted to extend into said vent chamber to prevent access to the discharge passage from the portion of the vent chamber open to the vent opening, and an element carried by said member and positioned within said tubular portion for supporting the end of the tubular portion remote from said member.

CLYDE C. FARMER. 

